Telephonophobia
It’s always been strange to me
Irrational illness you cannot perceive
Such an innocuous device
I struggle to live without
Yet still stifles my abilities
When sound and light activate
Dread consumes my mind
Daren’t look down
Mustn’t pick up
But why?
Such an absurd fear!
Reluctantly forced to react
Rarely the envisaged drama
Despite overthinking every breath
Petrified by empty pauses
Recipient’s obliviousness
The inevitable exhaustion that ensues
Life force drained again
But the ordeal is endured
A trial survived
I live to fight another day
Original poetry by Jon Arthur 2026
